Candid With Candidates
If you’ve ever wondered how people actually build careers inside major organizations, not just what they post on LinkedIn, this podcast is for you.
Candid with Candidates is hosted by Jenn Hahn, founder and CEO of J Recruiting Services, a national recruitment firm specializing in retail, wholesale, and distribution.
In each episode, Jenn sits down with corporate leaders, from CMOs and senior executives to rising directors, to talk through the real decisions, setbacks, and moments that shaped their careers.
This isn’t a highlight reel. These are thoughtful, honest conversations about what it takes to grow inside the corporate world, and how the people leading those organizations actually got there.
Whether you’re just starting out, managing a team, or already established in your career, you’ll hear stories that help you feel informed, encouraged, and more connected to your own professional path.
This podcast also serves as a space for leaders to share their perspectives and showcase their organizations, making it a valuable tool for both talent attraction and industry insight.
What you’ll learn from each episode:
- How real people move from entry-level to executive roles
- What leadership looks like behind the scenes
- The soft skills and mindset shifts that matter most
- How companies grow and retain top talent
- Honest advice from people who’ve done the work
New episodes drop every second Tuesday, starting June 3rd.
Make sure to follow Candid with Candidates wherever you get your podcasts, and get ready to hear the stories that don’t make it to the company bio.
Candid With Candidates
A Chat With Chief Merchant: Rebecca Lupfer on Taking Your Career by the Horns and Growing From Internal Audit to the C-Suite
What does it take to lead one of the most critical functions in grocery retail—especially when your path didn’t begin in the aisle?
In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn sits down with Rebecca Lupfer, Senior Vice President and Chief Merchant at The GIANT Company, to unpack her uniquely well-rounded career journey—from internal audit and strategy to merchandising, operations, CFO and now Chief Merchant.
Rebecca shares how she developed her leadership approach across functions, the pivotal moment she stepped away from the familiar, and why effective merchandising today demands both strategic vision and operational discipline.
With nearly two decades at Ahold Delhaize and a portfolio that spans 194 stores and 35,000 employees, Rebecca offers actionable insight into:
- What the Chief Merchant role truly entails—and why it can be misunderstood
- How to lead leaders, not just teams, by setting clear strategic altitude
- Balancing short-term execution with long-term strategy by flying at different levels
- The importance of cross-functional experience in executive growth
- How to manage complex roles while raising a family and serving on multiple boards
- The mindset shift required when stepping into new territory
Whether you're an emerging leader, retail professional, or someone navigating cross-functional growth, this episode offers thoughtful insight into executive leadership, career mobility, and the evolving demands of modern merchandising.
🎧 Listen now to explore how strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the right team can shape not just a company—but a career.
Guest Links:
Connect with Rebecca Lupfer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccalupfer/
Explore The GIANT Company: https://giantfoodstores.com/
Next Steps:
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For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn